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| | | Termite extermination may be accomplished through either chemicals, bait, fumigating with lethal gas, electricity, heat or microwaves. Prices vary according to access, type and size of structure. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Chemical extermination is generally priced by the linear foot. A home that is 150-linear feet around, or 1,250-square feet, will cost about $1,350-$2,500. A 2,500-square foot home with 200 linear feet will run around $1,700-$3,200. (The highest price designates homes with a slab foundation).
- The bait extermination process for the same 1,250-square foot house will start around $1,500. A $2,500-square foot home will cost about $3,000.
- Fumigation is generally based on the cubic feet of the house, plus any attachments, including decks. If the home needs to be tented, the cost for lethal gas fumigation runs $1,200-$2,500 for a 1,250-square foot house and around $2,200-$3,800 for a 2,500-square foot house.
- Heat extermination also requires tenting the home and runs about $1,250 for a 1,250-square foot home. For a 2,500 square-foot home the price is around $2,500.
- Electro-gun and the microwave system for small areas of infestation run about $1,150.
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| What should be included: | - Chemical extermination is usually performed by trenching or drilling holes around the home's perimeter, then adding the liquid chemical. The chemical trenching and bait systems are usually used for moderate termite activity.
- Bait is also administered through holes drilled around the perimeter of the home. The process is generally more expensive than chemical, but preferred when the property is close to lakes or streams.
- Whole-house infestation is generally treated with the traditional lethal gas fumigation technique. During fumigation the home is "tented" and lethal gas is pumped in. Homeowners are asked to stay out for four to five days.
- Tenting is also used in the heat method where hot air is blown in until the inside reaches 140-150 degrees and structural timbers reach 120 degrees, according to The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors.
- The newer heat process?is being chosen by?those who?may be?concerned about lingering chemical effects. Heat can also be compartmentalized, so if the termites are only in the living room, the heat can be targeted only in that area. A whole-house heating takes about eight hours. Homeowners can return to the home that night.
- The Electro-gun draws 180,000 volts through a gallery, a termite trail that follows the grain of the wood. An alternative to chemicals, Electro-gun and microwave systems are available in some areas and are designed to work on small trouble spots, such as a rotted window sill, rather than an entire house. The microwave system heats up the wood from the inside out, killing the termites.
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| Additional costs: | - Some companies may charge extra if thick cement around the home requires more drilling, according to a Terminix Florida sales representative. Following eradication, they offer yearly renewals similar to homeowners insurance at a rate of $400 for bait and $200 for chemical.
- In Albuquerque, New Mexico, all home construction is on floating slabs--solid foundation pours, according an Orkin sales manager. In order to get rid of termites, they have to drill through the slab. For 150 linear feet, the price will range from $1,500-$,2500, with a one-year guarantee. The liquid chemical used is also affective on ants. However, slab foundations are less expensive when tent fumigation is necessary, because without an under-house area, less gas is needed.
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| Shopping for termite control: | |
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Article updated April 2007 |
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